Mapping the Artificial Intelligence, Networked Hate, and Human Rights Landscape
Method of Data Collection 2: Workshop with Tech Against Terrorism This report’s findings are informed by a full-day multi-stakeholder workshop at Concordia University in March 2018, which brought together a diverse group of about seventy participants: AI researchers, radicalisation and counter terrorism experts, startup founders, and civil society representatives. Participants and invited experts came from different backgrounds to discuss the opportunities and challenges of AI, with the goal to further develop innovative approaches and solutions. While the workshop was advertised to the public, MIGS targeted invites towards individuals and companies who were likely to contribute constructively to the discussions. By doing so, the workshop was steered to include mainly participants who are directly involved in the development of AI or the fight against extremism, or both. Five separate sessions were held, covering the following topics: Launch of the Tech Against Terrorism Data Science Network; Terrorism, Technology, and Exploitation; OSINT - Big Data and Application; Algorithms and Application – Predict and Identify; Artificial Intelligence and Ethics - the Requirement for Transparency. The workshop partly served as a platform for several Canada and US based companies to showcase their AI applications and discuss their risks and opportunities. Furthermore, the project played a central role in the launch of the Data Science Network, a Tech against Terrorism (TaT) initiative, comprised of a collection of tools that small tech companies can use to better protect themselves against malicious use of their services. This is especially important as small tech companies are the most vulnerable to malicious use, due to a lack of financial and personal resources to adequately address the exploitation of their service for extremist causes. Method of Data Collection 3: Research and Outreach Data collected through interviews and the workshop was supported by research and outreach in Montreal to the AI ethics and startup community. The research component consisted mainly of the selection of recent and relevant AI policy papers, international media monitoring, AI research papers, and AI learning tutorials. Montreal outreach was done through visiting relevant AI startups, hosting the AI & Ethics Meetup , participating in conferences and workshops, and frequent interaction with Concordia University’s District 3 startup incubator.2
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For selected papers see Appendix Resources and Further Information: AI Policy Papers and AI Tutorials . Page 7/34